Kibunguchy snubs Oparanya retreat for Kakamega MPs

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchy snubbed a retreat for Kakamega County MPs sponsored by Governor Oparanya's government that was held in Mombasa on May 4 and 5, 2018. The MP said it was a waste of public resources. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kakamega County ministers also attended the Mombasa retreat.

  • Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchy snubbed the meeting saying it amounted to waste of public resources.

An MP has faulted the Kakamega County government for organising a two-day retreat for lawmakers in a Mombasa hotel to discuss development issues in the region.

The 14 lawmakers were invited for the meeting with Governor Wycliffe Oparanya at the Swahili Beach Hotel on Friday.

County executive committee members attended the meeting.

The invitation sent to MPs by text message read: “Governor Oparanya requests for a retreat with all the Kakamega County MPs at Swahili Beach Hotel in Mombasa on 4th and 5th May. Check in on 3rd and departure on 6th. Please confirm availability for finalization of plans.”

SNUB

However, Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchy snubbed the meeting held on Friday at the Swahili Beach Hotel, saying it amounted to waste of public resources.

“We (MPs) all come from Kakamega County and it does not sound right for the retreat to be organised in Mombasa when the focus should be on proper use of available resources at the county,” Dr Kibunguchy said.

He said he would have attended the meeting if it had been organised in Kakamega or Kisumu.

Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka also did not attend the meeting.

“I’m therefore asking the county government to write a cheque for the amount they would have spent on me, including the air ticket and accommodation so that I can pay fees for needy children in my constituency,” said Dr Kibunguchy.

PARTNERSHIP

The County Chief of staff Mr Robert Sumbi said Governor Oparanya convened the meeting to discuss the region’s development agenda and look into ways of forging a close partnership with the MPs.

“This was not a political meeting and the criticism from the MP is unfounded. There was nothing wrong with governor meeting the MPs in Mombasa to discuss development in Kakamega,” said Mr Sumbi.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who attended the meeting said there was nothing wrong with the retreat being organised in Mombasa.

He said the lawmakers got an opportunity to be briefed on the development initiatives being put in place by the administration of Governor Oparanya.

“We are not the first county to go for a retreat in Mombasa. If the meeting had been held in Kakamega, there would have been a lot of interference. We appreciate the invitation and we will support the governor’s development initiative,” said Mr Washiali.

Efforts being made by the national and county government to revive the cash strapped Mumias Sugar Company and expansion of the Kakamega Airstrip featured at the meeting.

“We further discussed the issue of Golf Hotel, should the government decide to sell it off and the plans by the county government to get an investor to construct a maize flour milling plant in Lugari,” said Mr Washiali.